In 2003, there were 2.3 million violent crimes committed
against females aged 12 and older, including rape, sexual assault,
robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. This follows the downward
trend in violent crime victimization rates for women over the past
decade. Women are more likely than men to be victims of reported
sexual assault and rape; however, men are more likely to be victims
of robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. In 2003, 1.5
of every 1,000 females aged 12 and older were victims of rape or
sexual assault.

Women are more likely than men to be victims of violent acts committed
by people they know intimately, such as friends or intimate partners.
In 2003, violence by intimate partners constituted 19 percent of
violent crimes against women, compared to 3 percent of violent crimes
against men. The overall rate of intimate partner violence against
females was 4.6 per 1,000 females, with the highest rates occurring
among females aged 15 to 24 and 25 to 34 years (6.1 and 7.9 per
1,000 females, respectively).

Women’s Health USA 2005 is not copyrighted.
Readers are free to duplicate and use all or part of the information contained
on this page. Suggested Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Health Resources and Services Administration. Women’s Health USA
2005. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
2005.